Let’s just cut to the chase. The bloody mary is a crowd-pleaser because it’s not only tasty but also perfectly acceptable to drink with breakfast. No 5 o'clock wait with this beverage.

Another reason the bloody mary deserves some love is its ability to trick us into snacking while drinking. The garnish possibilities are endless: lemon, olives, pickles, celery, beef jerky and peppers. At one point Dempsey’s offered a Bloomin’ Bloody, a mini-cheeseburger, chicken wing, and assortment of other garnish goodies sitting atop the cocktail.

Bottom line: It's got a lot of bloody great qualities, and it can be customized a thousand different ways. To help sort through the bloody mary madness, here's a rundown of how a handful of Lawrence restaurants and bars put their own twist on this classic cocktail.

Basic Bloody

Classic bloody at Dempsey’s

In search of the aforementioned Bloomin’ Bloody, I learned it is no longer an option at Dempsey’s Burger Pub, 623 Vermont St. The bartender did offer up an “extra spicy” basic bloody, however, and combined the standard vodka, tomato juice, Tabasco sauce and other flavorings. Topped with a couple of olives and a lemon slice, this tall glass was a solid starting point of a long journey.

Cost: $6 for a pint glass

Classic bloody mary at Louise’s West

There’s no escaping the highest regards for Louise’s West, 1307 W. Seventh St., when it comes to the basic bloody mary; it’s unofficially been cast as best bloody in Lawrence because of the large number of people who asked if I’d hit up this location yet. Not in the downtown area, it still seems reasonable to go out of the way for this “secret” recipe of self-detected spicy vodka and tomato juice, laced with A1 Steak Sauce, celery salt and Worcestershire sauce. Bonus: it comes with a crisp dill pickle spear.

Sunday special: $3 single; $5 double

Maria’s bloody

Bloody Maria at Taco Zone (Replay)

The Taco Zone is an unexpected place to order a cocktail, head over to the latest addition of Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts St., on a Sunday for a special bloody maria concoction. The bloody maria is served with tequila instead of vodka (can have vodka if you prefer classic), Brad Shank’s special hot sauce and pickles.

Cost: $5, for vodka; $6 for tequila

Bloody Maria at The Burger Stand

Sitting in two jars on The Burger Stand at the Casbah, 803 Massachusetts St., countertop are pepper-infused liquors for your bloody mary and maria pleasures. Because the peppers have been stewing in vodka and tequila for an extended period of time, the spicy goodness of these drinks shine through. This is not for the weak. Ask for beef jerky to cut some of the spice.

Cost: $6 for bloody mary or maria; $4 special on Sunday

Infused Bloody

Bloody Mary at The Bourgeois Pig

Another local favorite, this cocktail is combined with a hot pepper-infused vodka and the standard bloody fare at The Bourgeois Pig, 6 E. Ninth St. The house-infused vodka gives it a kick, so once again, beware for spice-fearing folks. It’s topped with a lime, olive, pepper garnish that make it one attractive-looking beverage.

Cost: $7 bloody mary; $5 special on Sunday

Bloody Maria at La Parrilla

I realize this beverage also belongs under the “maria” category, but the infusions that La Parrilla, 724 Massachusetts St., has going on makes it by far one of the most interesting bloody stops on the tour. Offering jalapeno-infused, cinnamon-infused and pineapple-ginger-infused tequila options, you get to choose whether you want to go spicy, spicy-sweet or fruity directions. Having never experienced a fruity bloody, I selected a pineapple-ginger bloody maria (and sampled each of the tequilas). Tequila lovers rejoice! Each flavor unlike the other and suitable for any tequila mood.

Cost: $7 for bloody mary (not infused) or maria

Specialty Bloody

The Roost list

The Roost, 920 Massachusetts St., is the master of bloody mary specialty cocktails so if you're looking for some exciting alternative recipes, this is the place to be. The top three on the list are as follows (drinks cost $7 each):

Bloody Bar

They give you a glass with ice and Smirnoff Vodka and let you go to town in a bar filled with tomato juices, various olives (cheese-stuffed options), peppers, bacon, spicy and savory seasonings, barbecue sauce, Chalua, Tabasco and really anything else you could think to put in a bloody mary. Bloody inexperienced? The bartenders are right behind the bar to assist you or make one up for you.